Pediatric Facial Fractures: A 10-year Study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to retrospectively analyse the incidence of facial fractures along with age, gender predilection, etiology, commonest site, associated dental injuries and any complications of paediatric patients operated in Craniofacial unit of SDM college of dental sciences and hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the department of OMFS, SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad from January 2003-December 2013. All the patients below 15 years of age were included in the study. Data were recorded for the cause of injury, age and gender distribution, frequency and type of injury, localization and frequency of soft tissue injuries, dentoalveolar trauma, facial bone fractures, complications, concomitant injuries and different treatment protocols.

RESULTS: A total of 68 cases of paediatric fracture were treated during these 10 years. Boys were commonly injured than girls with a ratio of 2.9:1, the commonest cause of trauma was fall (59 %), mandible was the commonest bone to be fractured (83 %), treatment protocols were dependant on the age, region and type of fracture but in most of the cases closed reduction was the choice of treatment, dental injuries were seen in 26 % patients and the commonest injury was avulsion.

CONCLUSION: This study was done not only to analyse the different types of facial fractures and the pattern of fracture of paediatric cases admitted at this centre, but also to act as a contributional data which will help us to take preventive measures to avoid such injuries and make the appropriate treatment plan and execute it to achieve the pre-injury status of form and function.